I meant to post Ina Garten’s Apple Turnovers with the rest of the Barefoot Bloggers, but Henry the Wonderdog had to make an unscheduled visit to the vet.

One day, his right eye is watering. The next morning, it’s red and gray. The vet sends us to a veterinary ophthalmologist, who says Henry has a cyst in his eye – a cut – and it’s deep. Deep enough that he needs surgery to save his eye. So, she leaves to check the surgical schedule, and I’m studying the certificates on the wall, trying not to lose it, because I may not carry my dog in a purse, but HE OWNS ME.

Thank God, they were able to take Henry in for surgery right away. I called Jeff at work, and then I called my mom. Both my parents drove an hour during a gas shortage to wait with me. I was afraid Henry would come out of surgery with a patch and an accusatory one-eyed glare, shouting at me like Stewie in “Family Guy”: “DAMN YOU, VILE WOMAN! The outrages I have suffered today will not soon be forgotten!” But when the nurse finally brought Henry out, he was pleasantly dazed and seemed to be hearing the beginning chords of “Inagaddadavida.” Such a relief.

Now, we’re on a regimen of three sets of pills, two kinds of drops, and eye ointment many times a day. But other than that, it’s business as usual for Henry: napping, playing, eating and combinations of the three. He is expected to make a full recovery. Until then, the Elizabethan collar is a good look for him.

We are so grateful to the doctors and staff at Veterinary Ophthalmology Services for treating Henry as quickly as possible and taking the time to provide a packet of customized information on his procedure, what to expect and his medications.

These are people who TOTALLY deserve Ina’s Apple Turnovers. Delicious puff-pastry pockets filled with orange zest, chopped apples, sugar, spices and dried cherries instead of the usual raisins. They taste like something that would take hours, but you could prep the components and form the turnovers during the commercial breaks while you’re watching “House.” Perfect for entertaining or taking to kind family members and vets.

Apple Turnovers

Adapted from Ina Garten’s “Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics”

• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 1/4 pounds tart apples, such as Empire or Granny Smith (3 apples)
• 3 tablespoons dried cherries
• 3 tablespoons sugar, plus extra to sprinkle on top
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch kosher salt
• 1 package (17.3 ounces, 2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the orange zest and orange juice. Peel, quarter, and core the apples and then cut them in 3/4-inch dice. Immediately toss the apples with the zest and juice to prevent them from turning brown.
   
3. Add the cherries, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
4. Flour a board and lightly roll each sheet of puff pastry to a 12 by 12-inch square. Cut each sheet into 4 smaller squares, and keep chilled until ready to use.
5. Brush the edges of each square with the egg wash, and spoon about 1/3 cup of the apple mixture on half of the square. Fold the pastry diagonally over the apple mixture and seal by pressing the edges with a fork. Transfer to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
6. Brush the top with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, make 2 small slits, and bake for 20 minutes, until browned and puffed. Serve warm or at room temperature.

[ad name=”space”]